Globalization and International Business Essay

Globalization and International Business The Concept of Globalization – putting everything into one village * The process of integration and convergence of economic, financial, cultural and political systems across the world. * Globalization – refers to the integration and interaction between different people and nations. * Globalization is the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas and other aspects of culture. Globalization – A holistic approach 1. Economic Globalization: the increasing integration of national economic systems through the growth in international trade, investments and capital flow. 2. Financial Globalization: the liberalization of capital movements and deregulations, especially of financial services that led to a sport in cross boarder capital flows. 3. Cultural Globalization: convergence of cultures across the world E.g. Dress codes, ways of living. 4. Political Globalization: the convergence of political systems and processes around the world. Dimensions of Economic Globalization {what has changed} * Globalization of production – the increased mobility of the factors of production especially the movement of capital that has changed countries’ traditional specialization roles. (process is made shorter and cheaper) * Globalization of Markers – technological strides in communication, transport and travel have created new consumer segments. The global markets have become easily accessible. (producing standardized products that are advanced, functional reliable and low priced). * Globalization of competition – it has intensified in such a way that businesses are forced to form mergers or enter into new strategic alliances, competing with new players around the globe. * Globalization of technology – it has advanced rapidly and thus creating shorter cycles for production of goods and services. The running of businesses becomes more effective and efficient. In some cases though, several businesses might have difficulty keeping up with the advancements due to financial constraints. * Globalization of corporations and Industries: – Economic liberalization has led to economic growth in Foreign Direct Investments and relocation of business enterprises as a result, there has been fragmentation in business processes. Where different stages of production are coming out in different countries E.g. Toyota manufactures in Japan and assembles in South Africa. Factors influencing Globalization (Movers) * Economic Liberalization * Technological Breakthrough * Multilateral Institutions * International Economic Integrations * Move towards free marketing systems * Rising research and development costs * Global expansion of business operations * Adverts in logistics management * Emergence of the global customer segment Factors restraining Globalization * Regulatory controls * Emerging trade barriers * Cultural factors * Nationalism * War and civil disturbances * Management myopia – thinking within the box/boarders Quiz: what is meant by internationalization of a firm’s value chain? Reasons for support of Globalization * Maximization of economic efficiencies (learning to use economic resources of a country to the fullest potential) * Enhancing trade * Increase cross-boarder capital movement * Improves efficiency of local firms * Increases consumer welfare Criticism of globalization * Developed Vs Developing countries: unequal players in globalization * Widening gap between the rich and poor * Wipes out domestic industry * Leads to massive layoffs and unemployment * Brings in problems related to balance of payments * Increased volatility of markets * Diminishing power of nation states * Loss of cultural identity * Shift of power to multinationals Response Strategies to Globalization forces for emerging market companies: Defender Extender Dodger Contender 1. Defender Strategy – When pressure to globalize is low, local companies adopt the defense strategy that focuses on leveraging local assets in the market segments where multinationals are weak. 2. Extender strategy – when companies’ posses competitive skills and assets that can be transferred abroad, companies can focus on expanding to markets similar to home base using competencies developed at home. 3. Dodger strategy – when pressure to globalize is high, local companies have no option but to dodge competition by cooperating through a joint venture or becoming a supplier or service provider selling off to multinational enterprises e.g. Skoda Czech car maker sold to Volkswagen. 4. Contender strategy – companies that have high pressure to globalize and competitive advantages that can be leveraged overseas can aggressively compete by focusing on upgrading their capabilities in the niche segment to match multinationals globally ie. TATA India Concepts of International Business 1. International Trade – exports of goods and services to a foreign-based buyer (importer) 2. International Marketing – refers to marketing carried out by firms/companies across the national boarder line. 3. International Investment – cross boarder transfer of resources to carry out business activities. 4. International Management – application of management concepts and techniques in a cross country environment an adaptation to different social-cultural, economic, legal, political and technological environments. 5. International Business – all those business activities which involve cross-border transactions of goods and services and resources between two or more nations. 6. Global business – conduct of business activities in several countries using a highly co-ordinate and single strategy across the world. Types of International Business Transactions * Transactions – exchange of values between buyer and seller typically involving intermediaries and currency as medium of exchange. * Exchange of: production inputs, components partially/nearly finished products, goods/services, ideas/know how. Boarders: their significance * State boundaries – denote sovereignty, citizenship (political authority), legal jurisdiction, security. When there’s no boarder, there’s no state!! * National cultures, National Identity * Economic Unit – eroded due to globalization, economic transactions are mainly domestic. * Boundaries – of mind and habit, boundaries are psychological not just physical. How boarders make a difference: As soon as you have different cultures, different contact forms, different legal structures, different taxation environments, the complexity introduced by that is immense. The reason why businesses that expand overseas fail is: they underestimate the complexity that’s enlarged in an international organization. The Internationalization of Business: * Bringing in new ideas * Moving across the boarders * Companies conduct value adding actitvities on a global scale, primarily to organize, source, manufacture and market. * A Level play field – international activities appealing to all types of firms; large or small. Manufacturing and services sectors E.g. Banking, Transportation, Design, Advertising and retailing. Nature of International Business * Value adding activities * Firms internationalize via experts, foreign direct investment, licensing, and collaborative ventures. * Foreign portfolio investment – less than 10% * Foreign Direct Investment – More than 10% Reasons for International Business Expansion 1. Market seeking motives * Marketing opportunities due to lifestyle cycles * Uniqueness of products or services 2. Economic motives * Economies of scale are achieved * Profitability * Spreading research and development costs 3. Strategic motives * Growth * Risk spread Differences between Domestic and International Business * Economic environment * Social * Infrastructure * Legal * Political * Competition * Technology The Four risks of International Business 1. Cross- cultural risk – occurs when a cultural misunderstanding puts some human value at stake. * Cultural differences * Negotiation patterns * Decision making styles * Ethical practices 2. Commercial risk – refers to a firm’s potential loss or failure from poorly developed or executed business tactics. * Weak partners * Operational problems * Timing of entry * Competitive intensity * Poor execution of strategy 3. Currency risk (financial risk) – the risk of adverse fluctuations in exchange rates * Currency exposure * Asset evaluation * Foreign taxation * Inflation and transfer 4. Country risk (political risk) – refers to the potentially adverse effects on company operations and profitability caused by developments in political, legal and economic environments in a foreign country. Risks: will always be present but can be managed: Managers is such situations should: * Anticipate the risks * Understand the implications thereof * Take pro-active action * Reduce adverse effects Some risks are extremely challenging e.g. the East Asian Economic Crisis in 1998. It generated substantial commercial, currency and country risks. Participants in International Business: 1. Multinationals E.g. Kodak, Nokia, Samsung, Multinational Enterprises own worldwide network of subsidiaries. 2. Other participants * Small and medium sized enterprises; In the USA a small/medium enterprise sized entity is described as that having 500 or fewer employees. * Comprises of 90-95% of all firms in most countries . * Increasingly more SME’s participate in International Business. Why do firms Internationalize? * Seek growth opportunities through market diversification * To earn higher margin profits * Gain new ideas about products, services * Better service to customers that have relocated abroad * Be closer to supply sources * Benefit from global sourcing advantages * Gain flexibility in sourcing products * Gain access to better value factors of production * Develop economies of scale in sourcing, production, marketing and R&D * Confront international competitors more effectively or thwart the growth of competition in the home market. * Invest in a potentially rewarding business venture. What caused the East Asian Economic Crisis Theories of Trade Absolute Advantage: when a country is efficient in producing a commodity than any other country. Countries should therefore specialize in producing a product of which they are efficient in producing and then trade such product for goods produced by other countries. Output per hour of labour – using the same resources | Cloth| Wheat| Country A| 100| 200| Country B| 250| 160| Total| | | Interpretation: clearly The Political Economy of International Trade The political reality of International Trade is that while many nations are nominally committed to free trade, they tend to intervene in international trade to protect the interest of politically important groups. Instruments of trade policy are tariffs, subsidies, import quota, voluntary export restraints, local content requirements, administrative policies and anti-dumping duties. * A tariff is a tax levied on imports that effectively raises the cost of imported products relative to domestic products. * Specific tariffs are levied as a fixed charge for each unit of a good imported. * Ad valorem tariffs are levied as a proportion of the value of the imported good. * A subsidy is a government payment to a domestic producer. Subsidies may take form of a tax break, cash grants, low-interest loan. * Subsidies help domestic firms by lowering production costs * Help them compete against foreign imports * Gain export markets * Government pay for subsidies by taxing individuals(consumers) * Import Quota – is a direct restriction on the quantity of some good that may be imported into a country. * Voluntary export restraints – are quotas on trade imposed by the exporting country, typically at the request of the importing country’s government. * A local content requirement demands that some specific fraction of a good be produced domestically. * The requirement can be in physical or value terms. * Local content requirements benefit domestic producers and jobs, but consumers face higher prices. * Administrative policies are informed bureaucratic rules designed to make it difficult for imports to enter a country. For example Japanese customs inspectors insist on opening a large proportion of express packages to check for pornographic materials. * This process that can delay express packages has made it difficult for FedEx to expand its global shipping services to Japan. * These policies hurt consumers by denying access to possibly superior foreign products. * Dumping is selling goods in foreign markets below their cost of production/fair market value. * Anti-dumping policies are designed to punish foreign firms that engage in dumping. Dumping is viewed as a method by which firms unload excess production in foreign markets sometimes at prices below the cost of production. * The goal is to protect domestic producers from unfair foreign competition. * US firms that believe a foreign firm is dumping can file a complaint with the government. * If the complaint has merit, antidumping duties, also known as countervailing duties may be imposed. Why Governments intervene? Basically there are three reasons: Political, Economic and Cultural 1. Political reasons include: * Protecting jobs and industries from foreign competition, trade controls usually result in higher price for consumers. * National Security – defense related industries often get this kind of protection. * Retaliations are threats used as bargaining tasks to help open foreign markets and force trading partners to play by the rules. It is usually in retaliation to a trading partner’s trade policy. Protect consumers from unsafe products. 2. Economic Reasons: * The infant industry argument(protecting them) * Strategic trade policy – policies that government enact to ensure that firs-mover advantages are reserved for local firms in industries where substantial economies of scale exist. 3. Cultural Motives – unwanted influence causes great distress and can force governments to block imports. Many countries have laws that protect their media programming for cultural reasons – for example in Canada about 35% of music played on TV and radio must be of Canadian origin. Economic Integration The abolition of trade restraints between nations. It is the growing economic interdependence that results when countries within a geographic region form an alliance aimed at reducing barriers to trade and investment. * Three Levels of Economic Integration * Global: trade liberalization by GATT or WTO * Regional: preferential treatment of member countries in the group ie. SACU, SADC, COMESA ,etc. * Bilateral: preferential treatment between two countries * Regional and Bilateral agreements are against the MFN clause (normal trading relations), but allowed under WTO. * Visit www.wto.org for regional trade agreements. Regional Economic Integration * Growing economic interdependence that results when countries within a geographic region form an alliance aimed at reducing barriers of trade and investment. About 40% of the world trade now occurs via economic bloc agreement. Cooperating nations obtain: * Increased product choices, productivity, living standards * Lower prices and * More efficient resource use. Economic Bloc A geographical area that consists of two or more countries that agree to pursue economic integration by reducing tariffs and other restrictions to cross-border flow of products, services, capital and in more advanced stages, labor. Examples: EU, NAFTA, MERCOSUR, APEC, ASEAN and many others. There are five possible levels of economic integration * Customs Union * Common Market * Economic Union * Political Union 1. Free Trade Area – countries agree to reduce tariffs but not eliminate everything The simplest most common arrangement, member countries agree to gradually eliminate formal trade barriers within the bloc, while each member country maintains an independent international trade policy with countries outside the bloc. Eg. NAFTA 2. Customs Union – similar to a free trade area except that the members harmonize their trade policies toward non-member countries, by enacting common tariff and non-tariff barriers on imports from non-member countries. E.g. SACU(Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, SA). Members have a revenue pool and it is shared according to how much each has contributed. 3. Common Market (single market)- like a custom union except products, services and factors of production such as capital, labor, and technology can move freely among the member countries. E.g. COMESA – requires much cooperation among the member countries on labor and economic policies. 4. Economic Union – like a common market, but members also aim for common fiscal and monetary policies, standard commercial regulations, social policy, etc. E.g. the EU is moving toward economic union by forming a monetary union with a single currency the EURO. 5. Political Union – perfect unification of all policies by a common organization. Submersion of all separate national institutions e.g. former USSR * Remains ideal, but yet to be achieved. The European Union What is the European Union? * Shared values: liberty, democracy, respect, for human rights and fundamental freedom, and the rule of law. European Coal and Steel Community * In the aftermath of the World War II, the aim was to secure peace among Europe’s victorious nations an bring them together as equals, cooperating within shared institutions. * Based on a plan by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. * Six founding states/countries: Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – signed a treaty. History of the EU * Treaty of Paris (1951) Formation of ECSC Treaty of Rome (1957) Formation of ECC (European Economic Community) -initially free trade area, becoming a customs union in 1967. * The Stockholm convention in 1960 created EFTA by seven countries to counteract ECC. * Single European Act of 1993 * Creation of single market (common Market) effective on January 1 1993 * Rename EEC by EU (15 members) * Treaty of Maastricht (1992) * Creation of an economic union, EMU * Establishment of European Central Bank on July 1998 * Introduction of a common currency, Euro on 1 January 1999 * Circulation of Euro on 1 January 2002. The EU features: A full-fledged Economic Union 1. Market access: tariffs and most non-tariff barriers have been eliminated. 2. Common market: removed barriers to cross national movement of production factors i.e labor, capital and technology. 3. Trade rules: eliminated customs procedures and regulations, streamlining transportation and logistics within Europe. 4. Standards harmonization: harmonizing technical standards, regulations, and enforcement procedures on products, services and commercial activities. 5. Common fiscal, monetary, taxation and social The European Union Today * 27 members * New members e.g. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic are low-cost manufacturing sites. * Peugeot, Citroen(france) – factories in Czech Republic. * Hyundai (South Korea) – Kia plant in Slovakia. * Suzuki (Japan) – factory in Hungary. * Most new EU entrants are one-time satellites of the Soviet Union, and have economic growth rates for higher than the 15 Western European counterparts. * Developing economies e.g Romania, Bulgaria, may take decades of foreign aid to catch up. Four Institutions that govern the EU 1. Council of the European Union – the main decision-making body. Makes decisions on economic policy, budgets, and foreign policy and admission of new member countries. 2. European Commission – represents the interest of the EU as a whole. Proposes legislation and is responsible for implementing decisions of the Parliament and the council. 3. European Parliament – up to 732 representatives, hold joint sessions each month. Three main functions are: * Devise EU legislation * Supervise EU Institutions * Make decisions on the EU budget. NAFTA (Canada, Mexico, USA) NAFTA passage (1994) was facilitated by the maquilladora program, in which US firms allocated manufacturing plants just South of the USA border to access low-cost labor without significant tariffs. NAFTA has: * Eliminated tariffs and most non-tariff barriers for products and services. * Established trade rules and uniform customs procedures. * Instituted investment rules and intellectual property rights. * Provided for dispute settlements for investment, unfair pricing, labor issues, and the environment. NAFTA Results: * Trade among the members more than tripled, and now exceeds 1 trillion per year. * In the early 1990’s Mexico’s tariffs averaged 100% and gradually. How the Mexican Economy benefited from NAFTA * Mexico exports to the US grew from 50 billion to over 100 billion per year. * Access Canada and the US helped launch many Mexican firms in industries such as electronics, cars, textiles, medical products, and services. * Yearly US and Canadian investment in Mexico rose from 4 billion in 1993 to nearly 20 billion by 2006. * Mexico’s per capita income rose to about 11 000 in 2007, making it the richest country in Latin America. * Why nations pursue economic integration 1. Expand market size * Greatly increases the scale of the market place for firms inside the economic bloc. Eg. Belgium has a population of just 10 million; the EU has a population of nearly 500 mil. * Consumers can access much bigger selection of products and services. 2. Achieve economies of scale and enhance productivity * Bigger market facilitates economic scale * Internationalization inside the bloc helps firms learn to compete more effectively outside the bloc. * Labor and other inputs allocated more efficiently among the member countries, leading to lower consumer prices. 3. Attract investment from outside the bloc * Compared to investing in stand-alone countries, foreign firms prefer to invest in countries that are part of an economic integration bloc. E.g General Mills, Samsung, TATA invested heavily in the EU. 4. Acquire stronger defensive and political posture * Provide member countries with a stronger defensive posture relative to other nations and world regions, an original motive of the EU. Factors contributing to the success of Regional Integration 1. Economic Stability – the more similar the economies of the member states, the more likely the bloc will succeed. Eg. Wage rates, economic stability e.g. SADC, EU 2. Political Stability – similarity in political systems is key. Countries should share similar aspirations and a willingness to surrender national autonomy e.g EU 3. Similarity of culture and language – Helpful but not absolutely necessary. 4. Geographic proximity – facilitates transportation of products, labor, and other factors. Neighboring countries tent to share a common history, culture and language E.g. NAFTA, EU Consequences of Regional Integration * Trade Creation – as barriers fall, trade is generated inside the bloc. * Trade Diversion – as within the bloc trade becomes more attractive, member countries discontinue some trade with non-member countries. * Aggregate effect – National patterns of trade are altered. More trade occurs inside the bloc. * A concern: a bloc might become an economic fortress leading to more within-bloc trade and less between bloc trade: can harm global free trade. * Loss of National Identity – increased cross-boarder contact makes members more similar to each other E.g. in response Canada has restricted the ability of US movie and TV producers to invest in the Canadian film and broadcasting industries. * Sacrifice of Autonomy – in later stages of regional integration a central authority is  set up to manage the bloc’s affairs. Members must sacrifice some autonomy to the central authority, such as control over their own economy. E.g Britain in the EU. * Transfer of power to advantaged firms – can concentrate economic power in the hands of fewer larger firms, often in the most advantaged member countries. * Failure of small or weak firms – as trade and investment barriers fall, protection is eliminated that previously shielded smaller or weaker firms from foreign competitions. * Corporate restructuring and job loss – Increased competitive pressures and corporate restructuring may lead to worker layoffs or re-assigning employees to distant locations, disrupting worker’s lives and entire communities. * Internationalization by firms inside the bloc – internationalization gets easier after regional integration. * Rationalization of operations – managers develops strategies and value-chain activities suited to the region as whole, not individual countries, by restructuring and consolidation company operations. The goal is to reduce costs and redundancy, increase centralized distribution, instead of decentralization to individual countries. * Mergers and acquisitions – Economic blocs lead to mergers and acquisitions, the tendering of one firm to buy another, or of two or more firms to merge and form acquisitions. Cross – Cultural risk * A situation or event where a cultural mis-communication puts some human value at stake. * Arises when we enter environments characterized by unfamiliar languages and unique value systems, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. * One of the four major risks in international business. Manifestations of Cross-Cultural risk * Ethnocentric orientation – using our own culture as the standard for judging other cultures. * Polycentric orientation – a mindset in which the manager develops a greater affinity with the country in which he/she does business than the home country. * Geocentric orientation: a global mindset in which the manager is able to understand a business or market without regard to national boundaries. * Managers should strive for a  geocentric orientation. Definitions of Culture: * Incorporates both objective and subjective elements. * Objective aspects of culture include tools, roads, television programming, architecture and other physical artifacts. * Subjective aspects include norms and values, ideas, customs and other meaningful symbols. * Hofstede, a well-known Dutch organizational anthropologist views culture as a collective mental programming of people and the software of the mind; how we think and how we reason. Culture Is: * Not right or wrong – it is relative. There is no cultural absolute, different nationalities simply perceive the world differently. * Not about individual behavior – culture is about groups. It refers to a collective phenomenon of shared values and meaning. * Not inherited – culture is derived from the social environment. We are not born with a shared set of values and attitudes, we learn and acquire as we grow up. Culture is learned: * Socialization – the process of learning the rules and behavioral patterns appropriate to ones given society. Eg. Cultural learning * Acculturation – the process of adjusting and adapting to a culture other than one’s own. Commonly experienced by expatriate workers. * Culture is like an ice-berg-above the surface. Certain characteristics are visible, below the surface is massive base of assumptions, attitudes and values that strongly influence decision making relationships, conflict and other dimensions of business. Cross-cultural proficiency is paramount in Managerial tasks. Examples: * Developing products and services * Communicating and interacting with foreign business partners * Negotiating and structuring international business ventures * Interacting with current and potential customers * Preparing advertising and promotional materials. Cross cultural differences may create challenges: * Teamwork – what should managers do if foreign and domestic nationals don’t get along? * Lifetime employment – workers in Japan often expect to work for the same firm throughout their careers; How should foreign firms handle that? * Pay for performance system – In China and Japan, a person’s age is important in promoting workers. Yet how do such workers perform when merit performance-based measures are used? * Organizational Structure – preferences for centralized, bureaucratic structures may deter information sharing. * Union-management relationships – workers in European firms enjoy a more equal status with managers. * Attitudes towards ambiguity – if you’re uncomfortable working with minimum guidance or taking independent action, you may have difficulty fitting into some cultures. Three approaches to interpreting culture: * Metaphors – refer to a distinctive tradition or institution strongly associated with a society – a guide to deciphering attitudes, values and behaviors. * Stereotypes – are generalizations about a group of people that may or may not be factual, often over looking real, deeper differences. * An Idiom – is an expression whose symbolic meaning is different from its literal meaning. The Nature of Stereotypes * Are often erroneous and lead to unjustified conclusions about others. * Still most people employ stereotypes, either consciously or unconsciously, because they are an easy means to judge situations and people. * There are real differences among groups and societies, we should examine descriptive behaviors rather than evaluate stereotypes. * An example: some Latin Americans procrastinate via the manana syndrome. E.T. Hall’s High and Low context cultures: Low Context * Rely on elaborate verbal explanations putting much emphasis on spoken words. * Tend to be in northern Europe and North America which place central importance on the efficient delivery of messages. * Communication is direct and explicit – don’t beat around the bush. High Context * Establish trust first * Personal relations and goodwill are valued * Agreements emphasize trust * Negotiations slow and ritualistic * Emphasis is on non-verbal messages and use communication as a means to promote smooth harmonious relationships. * Prefer an indirect, polite, face-saving style that emphasizes a mutual sense of care and respect for others, careful not to embarrass or offend others. * It is difficult for Japanese people to say No when expressing disagreement. Much more likely to say it is different – an ambiguous response. * In East Asian cultures, showing impatience, frustration, irritation, or anger disrupts harmony and is considered rude and offensive. * To succeed in Asian cultures, it is critical to notice non verbal signs and body language. Hofstede’s Classification of National culture 1. Individualism Versus Collectivism – refers to whether a person primarily functions as an individual or within a group. 2. Power Distance – describes how a society deals with inequalities in power that exists among people. 3. Uncertainty avoidance – refers to the extent to which people can tolerate risk and uncertainty in their lives. 4. Masculinity Vs Femininity 1.1 Individualistic Society – ties among people are relatively loose,  each person tends to focus on his/her own self interests. E.g Australia, Canada and the UK 1.2 Collectivist Societies – ties among individuals are more important than individualism: business is conducted in the context of groups where everyone’s norms are strongly considered. E.g China, Panama, and South Korea. 2.1 High Power distance societies – have substantial gaps between the powerful and the weak: are relatively indifferent to inequalities and allow them to grow. E.g. Guatemala, Malaysia, the Philippines. 2.2 Low-power distance socities – have minimal gaps between the powerful and weak. E.g. Denmark and Sweden governments instituted tax and social welfare systems that ensure their nationals are relatively equal in terms of income and power. * Social stratification affects power distance. In Japan almost everybody belongs to the middle class, while in India the upper stratum controls decision making and buying power. * In high distance firms, autocratic management styles focus power at the top 3.1 High Uncertainty avoidance societies create institutions that minimize risk and ensure financial security, companies emphasize stable careers and produce many rules to regulate worker actions and minimize ambiguity. 3.2 Low-uncertainty avoidances societies – socialize their members to accept and become accustomed to uncertainty: managers are entrepreneurial and comfortable with risk taking, decisions are made quickly, people accept each day as it comes. 5.1 Masculine cultures – value competitiveness, assertiveness, ambitions and the accumulation of wealth. Both men and women are assertive, focused on career and earning money, and may care little for others. E.g Australia and Japan. The US is a moderately masculine society, as are Hispanic cultures that display a zest for action, daring and competitiveness. In business, the masculinity dimension manifests as self-confidence, pro activeness and leadership. 5.2 Feminine cultures emphasize nurturing roles, interdependence among people, and caring for less fortunate people – for both men and women. e.g. Scandinavian countries welfare systems are highly developed and education is subsidized. Subjective Dimensions of culture Subjective dimensions – values and attitudes, manners and customs, deal versus relationship orientation, perceptions of time, perceptions of space and religion. * Values represent a person’s judgment about what is good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, important or unimportant and normal or abnormal. * Attitudes and preferences are developed based on values, and are similar to opinions, except that attitudes are often unconsciously held and may not have a rational basis. * Prejudices are rigidly held attitudes, usually unfavorable and aimed at particular groups of people. Examples: values in North America, Northern Europe, and Japan – hard work, punctuality and the acquisition of wealth. Deal Vs Relationship Culture * Deal Oriented cultures- managers focus on the task at hand are impersonal, typically uses contacts and want to just get down to business. Example, Australia, North Europe, and North America. * Relationship Oriented cultures- managers have affiliations with people, rapport and get to know the other party in business interactions, relationships are more important than the deal – trust is highly valued in business, agreements. Example, China, Japan, Latin America etc. It took nine years for Volkswagen to negotiate an automobile factory in China. Manners and Customs * Manners and Customs are ways of behaving and conducting oneself in public and business situations. * Informal cultures – egalitarian in which people are equal and work together cooperatively * Formal cultures – status, hierarchy, power and respect are very important. * Varying Customs: eating habits, mealtimes, work hours and holidays, drinking, appropriate behavior at social gatherings (handshaking, bowing and kissing), gift-giving (complex), roles of women. Religion * A system of common beliefs or attitudes concerning a being or system of thought people consider to be scared, divine, or highest truth as well as the morals codes, values, traditions, and rituals associated with this system. * Influences culture, and therefore business and consumer behavior. * Example: The protestant work ethic emphasizes hard work, individual achievement and sense that people can control their environment – the underpinnings for development of capitalism Language as a key dimension of culture * The mirror or expression of culture, essential for communication; provides insight into culture. * Linguistic proficiency is a great asset in International Business. * Language has verbal and non verbal (unspoken, facial expressions and gestures) * There are nearly 7000 active languages including 2000 in Africa. Technology, the Internet and Culture * Technological advances are a key determinant of culture and cultural change – more leisure time, and computers, multimedia, and communications systems that encourage convergence in global culture. * The â€Å"death of distance refers to the demise of the boundaries that once separated people, due to modern communications, information, and transportation technologies – more homogenized cultures are developed. * The internet also promotes the diffusion of culture, with rapidly growing numbers of internet users. Are cultures converging? The concept of Sovereignty Sovereignty – meaning Self Rule is when a state or government is able to make and enforce laws within its boundaries without interference from foreign nations. It is also connected to the ability of a country to guarantee the best interest of its own citizens. How does Globalization affect sovereignty? Discuss the effect of Globalization on National culture: 1. Stripped us of our culture since people become more attached to western culture and neglect their ways of doing things. Critically evaluate various dimensions of Economic globalization and their impacts on business enterprises: explain how it is affected and give examples. 1. Globalization of Production: increased mobility of the factors of production has changed traditional specialization roles 2. Globalization of Competition: competition with international businesses has intensified and therefore cost reduction is encouraged to improve efficiency. 3. Globalization of markets: markets have become easily accessible, allowing for expansion and growth. Goods are made of a standard level since customers worldwide have the same tastes and preferences. 4. Globalization of Technology: it has advanced rapidly leading to shorter production cycles. It also makes managing a business more effective and efficient. Advancements in technology have also become difficult to maintain due to financial constraints for some businesses. 5. Globalization of Industries: they have the options of putting up shops anywhere in the global village, giving customers a variety of choices in terms of goods and services. Convergence – bringing together two or more things Globalization – putting everything into one village.

The Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square

The Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square is very different from the other three – instead of carrying a grey statue it always surprises one's eye with a contemporary sculptural piece, which is changed every two years. But the question is – does the contemporary art sculptures fit into the classical space of Trafalgar Square? The Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square, built in the north-west corner, was designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1841. It was intended, that it would hold an equestrian statue of William IV, however due to insufficient funds the statue was never completed.The plinth stayed empty until 1858, when a statue of Edward Jenner was unveiled. Still, it was removed four years later due protests by anti-vaccinationists. After that, it was unused for more than a century, and became In 1999, when the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) launched the Fourth Plinth Project, three contemporary sculptures by Mark Wallinger (Ecce Homo (1999) – a life-sized figure of a man, wearing a loin cloth and a crown of barbed wire, with his hands tied behind his back, referring to Jesus Christ), Bill Woodrow (Regardless the History 2000) – a bronze sculpture showing the head of a man crushed over a book, both bound to the Plinth by the roots of a dead tree) and Rachel Whiteread (Untitled Monument (2001) – a transparent resin cast of the actual Plinth, standing upside-down on the original) have been commissioned to be displayed temporarily on the Plinth. Regarding the enormous public attention, the Mayor of London began the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group (a commission of specialist advisers appointed to guide the commissions for the Plinth) and since then the Plinth has been used as a location for exhibiting specially commissioned works by contemporary artists.After standing empty again for a few years, the Plinth was again open for exhibit in 2005, when a controversial statue Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn unveiled. This has caused many discussions, since some were questioning on the shock value of disability, as well as lauded for its progressive social values. Also, the statue reactivated the discussions about the purpose of contemporary art in this antique location. In 2007 Marc Quinn's work was replaced by Thomas Schutte's Model for a Hotel 2007 – a model of a twenty-one storey hotel from red, yellow and blue coloured glass.It brought a feel of After two years, the colourful, static sculpture was replaced by presumably most interesting and negotiable project on the Fourth Plinth – Antony Gormley's One & Other, turning the plinth into a â€Å"living monument†. This involved 2400 people, picked from the public after applying on the project's website, standing on a plinth for one hour – 24 hours a day for 100 days without a break. Selected people were allowed to use the Plinth any way they want, do anything they want, including dancing, music , performing, reading poetry, or even just doing nothing at all, making a raw epresentation of both, individuality and the whole of humanity at the same time. The performances were broadcast live over the internet 24 hours a day. The project also caused a lot of discussions, since many people did not consider this as an appropriate act of art for the Trafalgar Square, rather as an act of snobbery. The current sculpture on the Fourth Plinth is Yinka Shonbare's Nelson's Ship in a Bottle. It was unveiled on 24th of May, 2010. This work of a Anglo-Nigerian artist is a replica of Nelson's ship, the Victory, inside a large glass bottle stopped with a cork.The artwork marks the preserved importance of historical symbolism of Trafalgar Square. It is a reminder of the Battle of Trafalgar and is directly related to Nelson – this is one of the reasons which excludes the piece from the others exhibited on the Fourth Plinth. Soon, the turn for a new art piece will come, so at the moment s ix more commissions for the Plinth are being considered. All six of them were exhibited in St-Martin-in-the-Field gallery near the Trafalgar Square until the end of October. The first one is Battenberg by Brian Griffith. The Pink and yellow decorated cake was nvented especially for Queen Victoria's granddaughter – Princess Victoria of Hesse – to Prince Louis of Battenberg wedding anniversary in 1884.The sculpture made of handmade bricks is reminiscent of this little piece of history. Sikandar by Hew Locke echoes the British Army General, Sir George White, a monument standing in Portland Place. â€Å"Sikandar† translates as Alexander in Urdu. A hybrid between the name of a famous ancient conqueror and the image of the British Army General, modernized, studded with medals, jewellery, chains, materials, according to the creator, symbolizes the hero ant the eroic concept of the evolution of today's world. It's never too late and you can't go back – this it th e name of the third piece by Mariele Neudecker, depicting mountains. From ancient times mountains symbolize monumentality, strength, eternity and glory. Looking from below the sculpture, the mountain line forms a map of Britain, so it perception of the work may easily switch from dimensional landscape to territorial The blue Hahn / Cock by a German artist Katharina Fritsch symbolizes the awakening, strength and renovation. This sculpture would easily catch one's eye between the grey statues of theTrafalgar Square – the surrealism of its huge size and ultramarine colouring is inevitable. Allora and Calzadilla's work Untitled (ATM/Organ) is actually a combination between an automated teller machine (ATM), installed in the Plinth, connected to a pipe organ on top of it. It will produce sound by driving pressurised air through pipes selected while pressing the ATM machine keyboard. The last sculpture is Powerless Structures, by the authors Elmgreen & Dragset.Gold coloured boy roc king on a particular childhood symbol – a rocking horse – might symbolize the value of rowth and maturity, at the same time showing a future hero, â€Å"the heroism of growing up†. So for now the dilemma is – the blue rooster, an equestrian decorated with medals, sequins and chains, a sound-producing ATM organ, a golden boy, rocking on a toy horse, a brick cake or a floating mountain-scape – which of these works will be the next one in queue for the Fourth Plinth? Finally, seeing these new brave, exceptional and innovative proposals it is very likely that these six candidates will cause as much arguments as all of the other of their predecessors. It is still ften discussed if the Fourth Plinth is an appropriate location for contemporary art pieces, but since the plinth itself has a meaning of a base for a sculpture that is excluded from the surrounding and defines it as art, once again it leads to the eternal questioning of what is art itself, or i f we should interpretate this enviroment as a for one-art-kind-only space, but residents and guests of London seem to enjoy the Fourth Plinth a lot more than all the grey.Fourth Plinth http://www. london. gov. uk/fourthplinth/ Antony Gormley's Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square – Telegraph http:// ww. telegraph. co. uk/culture/4838343/Antony-Gormleys-Fourth-Plinth-Trafalgar- Trafalgar Square – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/ Trafalgar_Square#Fourth_plinth Archinect : Discussion Forum : Culture : The Fourth Plinth (Stop Frame Animation) Day 1 http://www. archinect. com/forum/threads. php? id=90208_0_42_100_C157 Alison Lapper – The Student Room http://www. thestudentroom. co. uk/ showthread. php? p=2723396;highlight=fourth%20plinth BBC News – Trafalgar Square fourth plinth candidates unveiled http://www. bbc. co. uk/ news/uk-england-london-11022665

Milo

S. W. O. T Analysis for Milo We are going to produce a SWOT analysis to find out how effective Milo is operating and what internal factors may influence its success. A SWOT analysis analyses the internal factors that may influence the success of a business. The initials SWOT stand for: S trengths W eaknesses O pportunities T hreats Here is a SWOT analysis on Milo: Strengths * Focusing only on chocolate energy drink. * Big sales in other countries. * It is available in different sizes, shapes and type. * Value for money. Promotion/advertising done in other countries. Weaknesses * Not enough diversity in flavours * Packaging (design of tin + labelling ) Opportunities * Increased media available (mobiles/internet) * Increased fitness industry * Increase awareness of health and fitness * Sponsorship (through sporting events) Threats * Competitors (hot chocolate, energy drinks) * Well known successful brands as competitors * Competitors could use aggressive marketing tactics cut prices/in crease promotion * Competitors bring out similar products Competitors have diversity in packaging (bottles, pouches, cans, etc) Challenges Milo also has challenges in marketing the product to consumer. The challenges are in hot chocolate and energy drink. The challenger in hot chocolate is Vico. Vico chocolate drink also is the popular choice among to customer in Malaysia. Vico chocolate drink have more chocolate test than Milo and the price also cheaper than Milo. Vico is the substitution product for Milo. The energy drink, the challenges is come from Horlick.Horlicks contain wide range of vitamins and minerals. This product gives energy to body to working or do something activities. Usually this drink will take in the breakfast. Horlicks are good in advertisement. For example, in Ramadhan , we need energy to fasting and they take this chance to promote their product that can gives energy to body in fasting. Improvement To improve the market, I think Milo have to do something in th eir flavour and advertisement. For flavour, make a research more about consumer behaviour in Malaysia.Find a taste that customer really like. Do the experiment with 100 customers to find which flavour is good and what consumer wants in the market right now. Use celebrity can make good advertisement to release new product. The celebrity can attract customer to know about new product. Aggressive advertising in media can increase the market. Make new packaging that can attract customer to buy and rite in the ingredient about vitamin and energy that can gives to customer when they drink it.

Auditing and Assurance Service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Auditing and Assurance Service - Essay Example The fact that David Jones sells its products across various countries means that it can apply price discrimination effectively. Price discrimination is possible in the company because the markets in various locations are independent. Britton and Jorissen (2007) assert that price discrimination occurs when the same products are sold at different prices in various markets. For instance, an iPhone can be costing $2000 in the USA yet the same exact iPhone costs $1800 in Australia. However, the concept of price discrimination presents a potential risk of loss of sales. This occurs in the sense that customers are knowledgeable and they might identify this difference in prices and seek alternative means such as purchasing the products online. David Jones operates in a retail industry, which has its own regulations and practices. Adhering to all the regulations can sometimes be a daunting task and as a result, the company may result to ignore some regulations (Higgins, 2004). This scenario presents the possibility of compliance risk in which the company can be closed down by relevant authorities for failure to comply with set standards. David Jones operates in a retail industry, which is very dynamic. Changes in tastes and preferences for various products for the company can plunge the company into strategic risk, which might result in loss of sales. The strategic risk in David Jones also occurs when other rival firms merge and increase their business performance, which may edge David Jones out of the market. Financial risk is yet another potential business risk facing David Jones. The company has two main sources of finance, which is equity and debt capital. Monye (2006) claims that if the company decides to finance its operations from debts the going concern is threatened because it might not be in a position to honor its financial obligations.

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Case Study - Essay Example During the period of 2001 to 2004, both HMA patient revenue and HMAs earnings per share increased by approximately 70 percent. However, during this same period, RRMC experienced a significant downturn in patient volume in several key areas. Open heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, and outpatient visits were all down significantly. In addition, the hospital was forced to close its Womens Pavilion in 2003 and no longer operates an obstetrics department. Adding to this low rate of growth is the declining population in the area. Etowah County is 103,000 people, the same population it had in 1980, while Gadsdens population has steadily declined by 50 percent since 1960 and today has fewer than 40,000 people. RRMC executive director Matt Hayes faces significant challenges in the next few years, as he tries to maximize his resources and find areas for growth. This paper will analyze RRMCs market position and make recommendations for Matt Hayes and RRMC to help guide them into an uncerta in future. The general operating environment that RRMC is in is very competitive both locally and regionally. Several large urban areas are a short drive from Gadsden and they have numerous health care facilities available with state of the art care. These include Atlanta Georgia, Chattanooga Tennessee, Birmingham Alabama, and Huntsville Alabama. It has been estimated that Birmingham alone draws as much as 25 percent of the business out of the Gadsden area. The patient revenue lost due to the combined out migration could be responsible for as much as half of RRMCs potential business. Locally, RRMC competes with Gadsden Regional Medical Center, with 248 beds, and to a lesser extent Mountain View Hospital, which specializes in addiction and psychiatric services. In addition to the competitive market, the factor of poverty also plays a significant role in the management of RRMC. Eighty percent of RRMCs patients

How to Do Scientific Research Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

How to Do Scientific Research - Term Paper Example Scientific research allows us to make sense of how things work and why some things look or act the way they do. Scientific research has allowed our advancement as human species in this world. It enabled our superiority and survival among other organisms that inhabit the planet. Through scientific methods of inquiries, observations, experimentations, data analyses and continuous approaches of data verifications, several answers to essential survival needs have been known and developed further for mass benefits. This includes scientific breakthroughs in medicine, human anatomy, diseases, ecology, astronomy, society and various phenomenon relating to humanity and our survival in our environment. It is to be noted that scientific research does not provide absolute answers to questions (Ori 2012). It instead provides answers based on the current knowledge acquired and recent evidence from what is present. That is why asking the right questions and formulating a sensible hypothesis from cu rrent sources of information, are critical to advance our existing knowledge. The solutions that we have right now, the technologies we are enjoying and the existence of rich data sources are the product of all the efforts of scientific research in the past. There are more cures to sicknesses right now because researchers from the past have already discovered these solutions. The sophisticated technologies we are using in computers and network systems are the result of the development of information technologies and facets of circuitries, with applications of social sciences and human response mechanisms. It generally means that the questions that have been asked before have been answered in this generation. Thus, whatever questions and challenges we have in our present time, these will be important on how the future will be shaped. The accumulation of knowledge and its by-products continuously happen, and more discoveries are being known. These are the driving mechanisms on the adv ancements that are yet to occur in the time to come. Conducting scientific research in the light of scientific methods is critical to the validity of results. The validity of conclusions is important to be proven. Ideas can be accepted or rejected based on adherence to scientific standards and measures. This information process or scientific system helps provide consistency on how data are acquired and collected. If proven valid and accepted, the discovery can be adapted as a scientific paradigm that could be used as a sound reference of science. In here, it could be supporting other already existing paradigms that then bring to the unification of ideas, and therefore establish our understanding of that scientific matter. If this is achieved, the system could be used in the application of product development or systems design. This is when solutions are created or developed, and innovations that improve what we currently have are appreciated.

Discuss the way in which a particular celebrity has been used to Essay

Discuss the way in which a particular celebrity has been used to promote fashion - Essay Example Fashion advertisement can be done on the television, on radio stations, on social sites, on product labels, on billboards and many other channels. Use of celebrities in advertising is very essential and captures the minds of many people in the society. It creates a perception that a product is the best in the range of related products, which increases demand of a product, its sales, and profits (Mehta 199). There are many theories related to the study of media and all try to explain its impact in advertising, and the perceptions related to its use. The first theory is the uses and gratification theory, which states that people use advertised products for gratification (Karina). The public can use a product so that they can relate to the celebrity used to promote the product. The association with a celebrity gives them a sense of belonging and gratification (Karina). The theory also states that people use a product to help them for diversion to escape from problems, for personal identity, and for surveillance of important tricks for survival. People tend to use products that are associated with successful celebrities so that they can feel safe and away from their problems. It gives them a sense of belonging and fulfilment in life. According to this theory, use of products that are associated with a particular celebrity increases ones self-esteem and self-worth (Karina). The hypodermic needle model is also another theory related to the use of media and suggests that media audience always has trust and loyalty to media such that they do not pose any challenges or have doubts about the information they are given (Karina). According to this theory, the audience takes in any information supported by a celebrity and believes it as the truth. The public has strong belief in celebrities and assume that products the celebrity uses will also work on them

Female Nazi War Criminals Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Female Nazi War Criminals - Research Paper Example It cannot be said that all these women had started their lives as ones who were capable of such awful deeds. Some were prompted to violence whereas others joined Nazi service as they thought of this to be a way out to escape from their lives that were mostly filled with poverty and hardships. Up to 3,200 women offered their duties in different concentration camps. Those who served as female guards were mostly low-to-middle class and they had little or at times no working experience. SS records also show that some of them served as hairdressers, matrons, tram conductors and retired teachers. Eventually, these women acted upon Hitlers message and as a result many people were brutally deprived of their lives by their hands (Clark, 1995). When the fears, the carnage and the wide spread destruction associated with Nazi killing are discussed, a few merciless and cruel women have always attracted a lot of attention for their outrageous behaviors and brutal inflictions. There were low esteemed and notorious camp guards just like Irma Grese and Ilse Koch. In Poland’s region that was seized by the Nazis, another example of a heartless Erna Petri is seen, who was married to one of the Special Security officers and was later on convicted for the case that brought out the shooting incident of six Jewish young children. There is also the case of Johanna Altvater Zelle who served as a German assistant and was taken into custody for murdering a child in Volodymyr-Volynsky’s jail, a Ukrainian district that was also occupied by Nazis. Undoubtedly, the Nazi slaying mechanism was a male-dominating event. However, after analyzing the actual ratio in accordance with the latest outcomes, the amount of German females, who had participated in this holocaust, serving as guards, assistants and assassins, was far much higher than what was being estimated previously (Kershner, 2010). Most of the staff members and workers from the Nazi concentration bases

Screening report on 400 blows Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Screening report on 400 blows - Essay Example The story of this movie revolves around a young boy who is considered to be a trouble maker. This child is deprived of love from his parent and is constantly being shouted at by his parents, especially his mother. This movie is a semi – autobiography of the life of the director and his friend. The style of shooting of the film displays the style of Truffaut. In this movie he had displayed very clearly the life of a young prankster. This movie apart from being about Antoine alone also highlights how the French ill – treated the injustice by the young at that time. There is a great portrayal of the how Antoine has been punished and criticized at both home and in school at every step. The poor child is punished all the time in school while his mother on the other end is strict and very demanding for him to help with the choirs at home. Also the child faces a lot of discomfort since his family is very insecure financially, live in an extremely small apartment, with him having to sleep on a sleeping bag. Also his mother has a number of issues and agreements with his step father. He also realizes that his mum is having an affair with her co – worker. He takes this to himself and engages in childish mischief, until he and his friend are turned in to the police by h is step father, for stealing the type writer from his office. The film ends with the child being sent to a work camp (on request of his mother) by the sea line. The child is also sent to a psychiatrist as his parents deem him to be very mischievous and incurable. The director has been able to provide the movie with an excellent ending, where Antoine runs away from the work camp and is seen at the sea shore. The use of the camera is excellent as the movies ends with the cameras zooming into his face and to a great extent it seems like he is gazing into the faces of the audience. This seems to be the strongest point of the movie. The director has been able to rightly depict the look in his eyes. A

Summary and critical analysis of journal article Essay

Summary and critical analysis of journal article - Essay Example The tourists have direct contact with the tourist Guide .The tourist Guides assures those who hesitate to walk on the grave could always avoid it. In Savannah the dead were buried beyond the city limits, there the tour begins, the tourists have got chance to know about the dead people; Halloween company is good for ghost walk tour. In Savannah they have created different type of tourism where people come know the economy, geography and sociological importance." As different tourist attractions and cities increasingly compete with each other to attract tourists, the need to present the tourists with more spectacular, exotic, and titillating attractions increases."(Gotham 2002, 1737) Savannah has invested heavily into ghost tourism development and the use of murder, tragedy, and mystery as marketing tools. Ghost walk tours are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional tourism activities. These tourists companies appoint guides who take them by walk through sections of a city, telling stories of supernatural and macabre events believed to have occurred at sites along the way. According to internet information there are hundreds of tour are available both in urban and rural settings of the United States and in a variety of countries. "The Dark Tourism" with the new title doing very good business tourism where they are able to attract many people taking them to cemeteries, prisons, roman catacombs, castle dungeons, battlefields, sites of assassination, and museums that focus as the Holocaust(miles 2002; Ingles and Holmes 2003; strange and Kemp 2003).The tourists able to find out tragic aspect of history. Ghost walk tours offers firstly, it is different from the normal tourism; here the tourists have entertainment, fun and education. The tragedies are presented in a light hearted manner. Secondly it is geographically dynamic where wide number of people participates in performances without any differences culturally socially.According to Tuan Walking through the place involves sensory interaction with a location, helping to develop a more complete sense of place. It gives better experience than going by bus or car travel alone. One can explore the ever- changing nature of the urban landscape, street scene and liste ning to another's narrative. There are two type of tourism one is Enclave and heterogeneous. The former gives less space and time, it influence tourist performances through signs, imagery, rules, and actions of destination employees, locals and other tourists. In this tourists might want to explore the dark side of the tour (unseen) which is not

Management and Team-working in a Large Organisation Essay

Management and Team-working in a Large Organisation - Essay Example y activity may be utilised to demonstrate the efficacy of these management principles to understand its functioning in the light how transformational leadership can bring about changes in the employees (Jacobs et al. 2006: 211-217). This would thus demonstrate the roles of managers in large organisations and also demonstrate how an employee in the NHS can self-manage him or herself. The overall aim of NHS is directly responsible for providing health services to the population of the United Kingdom. One of the major activities is to oversee the performance of the NHS organizations, primarily Primary Care Trusts and NHS Hospital Trusts. For any organisation of large magnitude, such as, NHS, it is important to achieve financial balance along with achievement of agreed performance targets. These are usually included in the local delivery plans, which may be termed as business plan (McNulty and Ferlie, 2004, 1389-1412). This indicates the necessity of management, and indeed smooth running of the complex functions of the NHS need managers their management skills to be utilised maximally to result into best outputs in terms of service provision and efficiency (Bolton, 2005: 5-23). In this assignment, Gibbs reflective cycle will be used to explore my knowledge on role of managers in my organisation. While doing this, I would also present an account of how I manage myself as an employee. Moreover, this will also demonstrate my abilities to work as a team member and my understanding on the utility and importance of working as a team member. In health care profession, utilization of reflective practice is becoming of paramount importance for continuing professional development. Gibbs cycle reflection comprises of few steps, the first is thought and/or feeling about an incident in practice. This would follow an evaluation about whether it is good or bad. This would follow an analysis to critically evaluate about the incidence. Then a conclusion can be reached through a

Shylock and His Victimacy Essay Example for Free

Shylock and His Victimacy Essay Even thought it seemed like Shylock loved his money more than his daughter, it was still a very cruel thing to do to any one. This is because after harsh words like these you can see why Shylock is so driven to want to kill Antonio. The continuos onslaught of comments towards Shylock, makes him a more sympathetic character. Although this was a cruel thing to do, it was not the worst of the trials that Shylock was put through. After the trial between Shylock and Antonio, Shylock was cheated out of his bond then punished. The party gainst the which he doth contrive shall seize one half his goods, the other half comes to the privy coffer of the state, and the offendertms life lies in mercy(The Merchant of Venice; Act 4, Scene 1; Lines 349-351). Another quote that shows how Shylock was treated was said by Gratiano, O, be thou damned, inexorable dog, And for thy life let justice be accused! Thou almost maktmst me waver in my faith, To hold opinion with Pythagoras that souls of animals infuse themselves into the trunks of men: thy currish spirit governed a wolf, who hanged for human slaughter, Even from the gallows did his feet soul fleet, And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam, Infused itself in thee; for thy desires are wolvish, bloody, starved, and ravenous (The Merchant of Venice; Act 4, Scene 1; Lines 128-138). To really understand Shylock one can not just look at his actions, but it is necessary to see why Shylock did them. Later in the play it is seen that Jessica regrets her decision to leave her father, which shows that it would not have been likely for her to leave without Lorenzo asking her to. My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice! The law my ducats, and my daughter! (The Merchant of Venice; Act 2, Scene7; Lines 12-17). It should be said that Jessica, Shylocktms daughter, did leave on her own terms and did steal the ducats from her father, but she would not have done this without the persuasion from Lorenzo. No one should have to convert to a different religion, it is a horrible thing to happen to anyone. The way that Shylock is treated makes it clearer why Shylock is seen as the victim. Shylock lost all of his possessions, he was forced to convert to Christianity, and he almost had to plead for his life.

Task-Centred Practice and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Task-Centred Practice and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Social Work Approaches The social work profession promotes, encourages and elicits social change in those they work with and society. This essay will examine two approaches used to support change in social work today, Task-Centred Practice and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, and compare and contrast these two. The essay will achieve this by applying these two interventions to Case Study Two, analysing the advantages and limitations of each method. Finally the essay will discuss any anti-discriminatory issues raised in the application of the discussed social work approaches. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (hereon CBT) is a psychological approach based on a combination of theories of learning: social learning, operant and classical conditioning (Teater, 2010 p.141). The approach is a composite of behavioural and cognitive therapies, involving assessing and changing behaviours, thoughts and feelings together. CBT suggests that service user problems or difficulties are a result of thoughts, feeling and behaviours being unescapably linked, therefore how a service user views themselves or situations affects their behaviour and emotions (Vonk and Early, 2009). However, CBT only focuses on presenting problems and their current causes. The goal of CBT is to change service users’ existing faulty or negative thoughts feelings or behaviours and replace them with more socially acceptable and positive thoughts, feelings and behaviours that decrease the problem. The use of CBT derives from criticisms of Psychodynamic theory for not being evidence-based and not b eing effective in creating change (Howe, 2009). However CBT is not the only evidence-based approach. Similar to CBT, Task-Centred Practice (hereon TCP) is based on strong research evidence; studies by Reid and Shyne, Reid and Epstein and Reid demonstrated planned short-term treatment using task-centred model was effective (Payne, 2005 p.99). In contrast to all other approaches TCP was developed within social work for social work practice, and is commonly used in social work today. TCP is focused on problem-solving; a versatile approach, TCP is used in a wide range of problems (Stepney and Ford 2012 p.102) including interpersonal conflict, dissatisfaction with social relations, problems in social transition, financial problems and behavioural difficulties (Ford, 1978 as cited in Stepney and Ford 2012 p.103). Doel (1991 as cited in Teater, 2010) states that TCP uses key values related to social work, for example partnership and empowerment: clients are seen as the experts in their problems; the approach builds on service users’ strengths rather than weaknesses; and finally that the Social Worker is providing help rather than treatment. TCP’s assumption of client as expert is another point of contrast to CBT. However CBT has its own assumptions. CBT holds three basic assumptions: firstly, an individual’s cognitions mediate emotions and behaviours (Trowel et al, 1988; Vonk and Early, 2009 as cited in Teater, 2010 p.146); secondly, faulty or distorted cognitions lead to psychological distress and dysfunction (trowel et al, 1988 as cited in Teater); finally, diminishing or alleviating psychological distress and dysfunction requires modification and change to the faulty or distorted cognitions and behaviours (Trowel et al, 1988; Vonk and Early, 2009 as cited in Teater, 2010 p.146). CBT takes these assumptions and creates a structured approach to working with service users. Coulshed and Orme (2006 p.181-182) describe the CBT approach in eight clear stages; engagement, problem focus, problem assessment, teaching cognitive principles, dispute and challenge assumptions, encourage the client’s self-disputing, set behavioural homework and finally, ending. This extremely structured approach is another point of comparison with TCP. TCP, similar to CBT, is built around a clear model, and progresses through set stages. Firstly, ‘identifying the problem’; TCP is a collaborative approach which works to tackle problems the service users acknowledge and understand (Doel, 1991 as cited in Teater, 2010 p.178). In addition the service user must express a wish to work on the problem alone or with the help of worker (Reid and Epstein as cited in Teater, 2010 p.179) Next, ‘exploring the problem’ in detail, selecting the problem that is causing the client most distress. From the problem ‘define a goal’ which diminishes or removes the problem, ‘establish tasks’ for the worker and service user towards reaching the goal, and finally ‘evaluate’ if the goal has been met and if the problem is removed (Reid and Epstein, 1972 as cited in Teater, 2010). The essay will now examine how these approaches could be applied to Case Study Two. Case Study Two presents many key issues. The service user, Neil, is facing many difficulties at one time, which include problems with family, aggressive behaviour which has resulted in his homelessness, and lack of money, food, bedding, and household items. In addition he is also worried about moving GP. Many of Neil’s problems could be tackled using either CBT or TCP; selective eclecticism allows social workers to choose which approach would best suit each problem. The problems of homelessness, money and the want of a job are better suited to TCP; they are problems of living that may also include some social factors which CBT would not account for. The problem of behaviour where Neil is swearing in the family and the anxiety toward the change of GP would be best suited for CBT intervention, as this is proven to help with problems of behaviour and anxiety (Sheldon, 2011). In Neil’s case, the first stages of TCP, identifying problems, exploring problem and setting goals, would need to be applied in the early meetings between Neil and the social worker. The collaborative period needs careful discussions and mutual agreement on problems and goals. A possible outcome may be tackling the problems such as homelessness, lack of money, food and unemployment in order; however, other factors may make this unrealistic. The ‘SMART’ method for goal setting is commonly applied, stating goals must be: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (Marsh and Doel, 2005 p.36). The assessment phase of CBT mirrors this early approach of TCP. During CBT’s assessment phase the service user and worker examine the links in thoughts, feelings and behaviours using the ‘A-B-C model’, as well as measuring intensity, duration and frequency of the problem (Teater, 2010 p.145). After assessment both approaches then move to intervent ion phases. TCP uses tasks as an intervention. The task should be planned carefully, asking: what is the task, the reason for the task, and what the person needs to be able to achieve the task. These stages can be simplified to what, why and how (Marsh and Doel, 2005 p.55). The tasks are performed by either the service user, the social worker or by both parties in session. In contrast, a CBT intervention is classified into distinct categories of intervention including cognitive restructuring, relaxation techniques, social skill training, assertion training, problem-solving skills, aversion therapy, systematic desensitisation, reinforcement and modelling (Teater, 2010 p.149-150). The actual intervention that is selected is dependent on the problem faced. In the case of Neil, cognitive restructuring may be suitable to approach the anxiety and his false belief that his doctor is the only one who can understand him. This is done by challenging the assumption, reinforcing self-challenging and homewor k. Next both approaches move on to the ending phase. The ending or evaluation phase is critically important in both CBT and TCP. Both approaches use close evaluation of the goals and progress made in the intervention; this evidence-based practice is seen as a great benefit of both these approaches. CBT uses data collected in the assessment phase as a tool for evaluating the outcome of the intervention. This is done by comparing intensity, duration and frequency of thoughts or behaviours before the intervention and after, giving a measure of success or failure in the intervention (Sheldon, 2011). TCP uses a similar process of evaluation: firstly regular assessment of the outcome of the tasks set measures change in capability; secondly, TCP monitors whether the service user’s goals have been met or the problem solved. This measurability of evidence-based approaches finds them favoured by funders and managers in social work (Payne, 2005 p.101). These are not the only benefits of these approaches. TCP has many other qualities that result in it being commonly used: it is generic, can be used in many settings and with many different clients groups (Teater, 2010 p.189). TCP can be used easily in combination with many other approaches, such as motivational interviewing to help someone who may be unsure about change (Teater, 2010 p.189). Both CBT and TCP are highly structured and easy to use (Payne, 2005). Furthermore both interventions are brief and time-limited while remaining effective (Stepney and Ford, 2012). However these approaches have some limitations. TCP requires that service users can make connections between problems, tasks and goals; this is not possible with all service users, as some may be unwilling or experience difficulty in making connections (Marsh and Doel, 2005). CBT also faces similar difficulty with service user commitment the approach relies on equal involvement from the social worker and the service user in changing faulty learning process or behaviours (Teater, 2010 p.155). In addition, Payne (2005) suggests another weakness in TCP is its failure to tackle the long-term individual or social problems. This is especially pertinent in Neil’s case, in which he and his family have had previous social service interventions. Another criticism of CBT is that it only focuses on the individual: oppression, discrimination, racism and poverty are not addressed in the approach (Teater, 2010 p.155). Furthermore, by not accounting for oppression and discrimination, TCP and CBT may inadvertently exacerbate both. Thompson (2012) defines anti-discriminatory practice as an approach to social work practice which seeks to eliminate discrimination and oppression, and argues it is fundamental to social work. However, a social work intervention often places power and influence in the hands of social work, and there is scope for discrimination and oppression in social work practice, whether intended or unintended. CBT focuses on changing behaviour from inappropriate to appropriate. What is ‘appropriate’ behaviour is culturally relative and a misinformed social worker may attempt to change acceptable behaviour thus creating oppression. However, cultural sensitivity must be balanced with ability to challenge behaviour that causes discrimination in itself (Tanaka-Matsumi et al., 2005 as cited in Teater, 2010 p.156). Marsh and Doel (2005 as cited in Teater, 2010 p.191) suggests that TCP is allied with empowerment-based approaches and anti-oppressive practice as TCP takes account of power and oppression in a wider social context. The approach emphasises partnership and transparency, highlighting any power imbalance should be made explicit from the beginning of the intervention (Teater, 2010 p.191). Doel and March (2005) further argue that the client should be informed and as involved as possible. However, TCP relies on the service user accepting that there is a problem; this point may become a point of oppression whereby the social worker may force their perspective of the problem upon the service user, particularly in mandated work (Doel, 2002 as cited in Teater, 2010). However, good practice in TCP sees the service user as the expert in their problem and the social worker as helper, rather than prescriber of a course of action (Teater, 2010 p.191). In conclusion, supporting and eliciting change is a difficult job for social work. Numerous factors play a part in a service user problem or want. No one approach will consider all the factors all the time, therefore being eclectic in choosing an intervention is a key social work skill. As shown, both TCP and CBT are very practical approaches: each has a clear structure, a strong evidence-base and uses evaluation to show the efficacy of an intervention. However each approach has weaknesses: TCP fails to address long-standing problems and asks service user to have good insight into their problems. CBT does not account for oppression, discrimination, racism and poverty, instead focusing on the individual. Like all interventions in service users’ lives, both CBT and TCP can be oppressive and discriminatory used casually or incorrectly. However, handled with care, collaboration and transparency, both TCP and CBT can be used to support service users to empower themselves into makin g the changes they want to make. Reference List Adams, R, Dominelli, L and Payne, M. (2009) Critical practice in social work, 2nd edition, London: Palgrave. Coulshed, V and Orme, J. (2012) Social Work Practice, 5th Edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Marsh, P and Doel, M. (2005) the Task-Centred Book, Abingdon: Routledge. Howe, D. (2009) a Brief Introduction to Social Work Theory, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Payne, M. (2005) Modern Social Work Theory, 3rd Edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Teater, B. (2010) Applying Social Work theories and methods, Berkshire: Open University Press. Thomson, N. (2012) Anti-discriminatory practice, 5th edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Sheldon, B. (2011) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, 2nd edition, Abingdon: Routledge. Stepney, P and Ford, D. (2012) Social Work Models, Methods and Theories, 2nd Edition, Dorset: Russell House Publishing Ltd. Vonk, M, E Early, T, J. (2009) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, New York: Oxford.

William Shakespeare An Analysis

William Shakespeare An Analysis Why was William Shakespeare regarded as the best English play writer? In his book Will in the World, Stephen Greenblatt describes Shakespeare as â€Å"the greatest playwright not of his age alone but of all time†. This echoes the fact that ‘the Bard’ is often considered to be one of England’s greatest authors. Even today his work is read by thousands of schoolchildren, his plays are performed in many theatres (including the replica Globe in London which is named after him), his plays have been repeatedly filmed and turned into parts of popular culture, and his language is often quoted in various forms. In addition, his home town of Stratford has become one of England’s premier tourist attractions. Considering Shakespeare is such a famous figure, it is remarkable how little we actually know about his life. In fact, some critics have suggested that this is one reason for his continuing success or for the ‘cult’ of ‘The Bard’: if the man himself is a myth then he can be permanently recreated for many generations. However there are some details that we can identify with relative confidence. Shakespeare was born in 1564, probably on April 23rd as he was baptised on the 26th. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the county of Warwickshire where his father was a glover and alderman. He   received a good education at the local grammar school, the Kings New School, where boys were taught Latin grammar and classical texts (he later used Latin sources for the plots of some of his plays, for example Titus Andronicus refers to Ovid’s tales Metamorphoses). By the time Shakespeare was 18 he was married to a relative and local woman named Anne Hathaway, with whom he eventually had three children, called Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592 there are few records to indicate where Shakespeare was living and under what occupation, though a number of different stories suggest he was already in London, or had fled accused of poaching, or was in fact himself a teacher: â€Å"He had been in his younger years a schoolmaster in the country† wrote John Aubrey. But by 1592 records suggest that he was established in London as a playwright, where he continued to write and perform plays with considerable success until shortly before his death in 1616 (coincidentally, on April 23rd, his birthday). When Shakespeare’s plays were originally published all together in the First Folio of 1623, they were collected for the first time, and were divided into comedies, tragedies and histories. While these generic categories are not always upheld today, and there are some plays such as Measure for Measure which do not easily fit into one group or another, there are consistencies between some of the plays which allow them to be grouped in this manner.   We can identify certain patterns based upon genre. For example, in Othello, Othello’s murder of Desdemona followed by suicide restores the social status quo of a powerful state under white leadership. Hamlet’s death in Hamlet disrupts the royal line but succeeds in first purging the state of the corruption, the â€Å"something rotten†, that affects the country. However both of these plays, like Macbeth, are mainly concerned not with social relations but with following the decline of a powerful character. It is true that there is often a comic subplot in the plays to provide a light relief, but the main plot follows a tragic flaw in character to a tragic conclusion usually of multiple deaths. By contrast, where tragedy has multiple deaths, the comedy plays usually offer multiple marriages – this is one of their most characteristic features. Confusion and misinterpretations are resolved not in duels or deaths but in reconciliation and the restoration of characters to their proper social roles. At the end of Twelfth Night, Orsino responds to the revelation of Sebastian and Viola’s identities with the following lines: â€Å"If this be so, as yet the glass seems true, I shall have share in this most happy wrack† (V.i) Although â€Å"wrack† suggests the potential for catastrophe, it has found its proper romantic conclusion and the love-plot is untangled. Viola is released from her disguise as the boy Cesaro and restored to her proper female role, and everyone’s identity revealed. Social reconciliation usually takes this form in Shakespeare’s comedies as lovers are united in marriage, usually in groups of two or three pairs whose plots are followed together throughout the play. Multiple narratives are drawn together often in the final scene. The ability to resolve complex plots in such a way is one of the features that make Shakespeare such a great dramatist. Shakespeare’s construction of love, though often seemingly simplistic in its conclusion, is sophisticated in being able to question each character’s ability to make the right decisions for themselves, and the different layers of narrative serve as comments upon the other plots that work alongside them. In the complex reversals of affection in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic comedies, the proper order of the lovers is disrupted and then restored by Oberon and his servant Puck: â€Å"When they next awake, all this derision, Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision† (III.ii.370-1) A popular theme running throughout the plays is disguise and the complication of identity which in the case of gender roles enables Shakespeare to further entangle the male-female tensions which are at the centre of marriage plots. Famous heroines who dress up as boys include Viola in Twelfth Night and Rosaline in As You Like It, who are able under the cover of their male identities to act out courtship activities, Viola acting on behalf of Orsino in carrying his suit to Olivia and Rosaline teaching Orlando to woo in the guise of Ganymede. In Twelfth Night this then creates comic confusion (and sometimes pain) in a typical love triangle: â€Å"My master loves her dearly, And I (poor monster) fond as much on him, And she (mistaken) seems to dote on me† (II.ii) Viola is a â€Å"monster† in the play because she is not in her proper position as a woman, and cannot express her feelings to the Duke. It is only when she is restored to her female role that the plot can be properly concluded. In speeches such as this one, the audience’s ability to see which way love is really directed in the play create a distance of dramatic irony that reduces the damaging effect of characters who are experiencing pain. Also, the passionate language that Shakespeare is sometimes so flowery that it enables him to generate comedy from expressions of passion: â€Å"O when mine eyes did see Olivia first, / Methought she purged the air of pestilence† (I.i). Unlike in tragedy, when Gertrude â€Å"protests too much† in Hamlet and is then horribly implicated in the crimes which have so upset her son, this kind of exaggeration in comedies creates the effect of laughter, because the audience realise that they have more knowledge than the charact ers in the play. One of the reasons often given for Shakespeare’s enduring popularity is his â€Å"universal† appeal: his stories cross many genres and different places and periods in history and thus they always seem relevant to a particular society at a particular moment in time, or can be adapted to seem relevant (and they have been adapted into many languages around the world). Sometimes this provides a political context for the plays, sometimes it merely serves to add fresh ways of interpreting the language and the scenery, for example in Baz Luhrman’s film William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet the story takes place in a futuristic modern-day setting at ‘Verona Beach’ in America, where the commercial rivalry of the Capulets and Montagues replaces their social positions and where guns and advertising are everywhere, contrasting with the romantic poetry as it is retained from the play. But it remains a tragic and affecting story. Shakespeare himself created an impression of universal drama in the language that he uses in suggesting that what was represented in the theatre could represent the whole world. In As You Like It he wrote the following famous lines, â€Å"All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts† (II.vii) Here he refers to the activities in the theatre, the actors coming on and off stage, to suggest a metaphor for how people live their lives. He suggests that anybody could play a different part, or any part, so we could all recognise ourselves in a Shakespeare play. It also hints towards the way that characters such as Olivia and Rosaline dress up as other than they are, assume different roles or become different ‘players’. It was common in Shakespeare’s time for the actors in each company to play many different roles, sometimes within the same plays and sometimes across several plays that were being performed in the same week. This kind of language is also reflected in plays such as Macbeth, in tragedy rather than in comedy, where in the dying speech of the play’s hero or antihero he says, â€Å"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.† (V.v) Here the metaphor extends to the process of life itself, which is only like a â€Å"poor player† who has only an â€Å"hour† to perform. This is perhaps wishful thinking on the part of Macbeth who would like to imagine that his actions were only â€Å"performed† and that they â€Å"signified nothing†, as he is now consumed by guilt for the murder of Duncan. The metaphors of theatre run right through the plays in a way that both playfully emphasises their artificiality, as stories and characters who are performed many times in many different ways, and a way that makes them feel eternal, that they could be acted a countless number of times and still have something to say to us. Also, it is notable that the theatre in which Shakespeare spent the longest years working was called The Globe, drawing attention again to the round stage as representing the universe. The legacy of Shakespeare’s language can be observed not just in how frequently his plays are quoted but also in everyday language and conversation; even without realising it we have absorbed many of his sayings into modern English which we now take for granted. From Lady Macbeth saying â€Å"what’s done is done† in Macbeth to Juliet parting from Romeo in â€Å"such sweet sorrow,† these phrases have become part of our vocabulary so that often their use is unconscious. Shakespeare also used proverbs which may have been popular at the time and which have been handed down to us through the medium of his plays, including phrases like â€Å"to the manner born† and â€Å"brevity is the soul of wit†, both of which can be found in Hamlet. By the time Shakespeare died in 1616 he had written a remarkable quantity of plays and enjoyed a successful career as both playwright and actor. When his plays were finally published together in 1623 they were preserved for future generations to enjoy and to adapt. Today the popularity of Shakespeare appears to be as high as ever, as people all over the world continue to read the plays and to recognise the universal value of the ‘great Bard’. Bibliography Shakespeare, William, Macbeth, Penguin (1967) Shakespeare, William, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Arden (2005) Shakespeare, William, Twelfth Night, Penguin (1994) Shakespeare, William, As You Like It, Arden (2006) Crystal, David, Think on My Words: Exploring Shakespeare’s Language, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (2008) Greenblatt, Stephen, Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare, London: Pimlico (1995), Macrone, Michael Lulevitch, Tom, Brush Up Your Shakespeare!: An Infectious Tour Through the Most Famous and Quotable Words and Phrases from the Bard, Collins (2000)

The Power of Kurtz in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

The Power of Kurtz in Heart of Darkness Power has been defined as the psychological relations over another to get them to do what you want them to do.   We are exposed to forms of power from the time of birth.   Our parents exercise power over us to behave in a way they deem appropriate. In school, teachers use their power to help us learn.   When we enter the work world the power of our boss motivates us to perform and desire to move up the corporate ladder so that we too can intimidate someone with power one day.   In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Kurtz had a  power over the jungle and its people that was inexplicable. Kurtz is one of many men sent into the jungle to rape the land and its people of its natural resources.   Many men have journeyed into the jungle also refereed as the heart of darkness never to return.   Kurtz goes into the jungle and becomes obsessed with the people and the land.  Ã‚   Though Kurtz has an obsession with ivory this is not the sole reason for him to overstay his welcome in the jungle. Power this is what kept Kurtz in the jungle for such a long period of time.   Determined not to become another causality he becomes allies with the natives through fear.   Kurtz is a brilliant man who did not have to adapt to his environment but had it adapt to him.   On top of a hill his hut is surrounded by the heads of men who have betrayed in him some sort, this serves as a reminder to anyone who contemplates going against his wish.    When Marlow finally reaches Kurtz he is in declining health.   This same jungle which he loved, embraced and consumed with every ounce of his flesh had also taken its toll on him.   Marlow finally meets the man whose name has haunted him on his river journey.   Could this frail human be the ever so powerful Kurtz?   The man who has journeyed into uncharted territories and has come back with scores of ivory and the respect of the native tribe.   Yes, this was the very man and though he is weak and on his way to death his power still exudes from him. This is where the definition of power comes in to play the â€Å"psychological relation† see even though his body was decomposing his mind was still sharp.

Destruction of the American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of A Salesma

Destruction of the American Dream in Arthur Miller's Death of A Salesman A white picket fence surrounds the tangible icons of the American Dreams in the middle 1900's: a mortgage, an automobile, a kitchen appliance paid for on the monthly - installment - plan, and a silver trophy representative of high school football triumph. A pathetic tale examining the consequences of man's harmartias, Arthur Miller's "Death of A Salesman" satisfies many, but not all, of the essential elements of a tragedy. Reality peels away the thin layers of Willy Loman's American Dream; a dream built on a lifetime of poor choices and false values. Although the characters are not of noble birth nor possess a heroic nature nor experience a reversal of fortune, many of the elements in "Death of A Salesman" fulfill the criteria of a classic tragedy. The downfall and crisis points in the play are directly linked to the Loman family's combined harmartias, or personal flaws. The Loman's have unrealistic ideas regarding the meaning of success. To Willy, the foundation of success is not education or hard work, but rather "who you know and the smile on your face." Moreover, Willy ridicules the education Bernard has earned, declaring that his sons, Biff and Hap, will get further ahead in the business world because "the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked, and you will never want." Willy idolizes two men: his brother, Ben, who walked out of an African jungle a rich man, and an 84-year-old salesman who could "pick a phone in twenty or thirty cities an d be remembered and loved, and finally honored by hundred of mourners at his funeral." To Linda, success is paying off a 25... ...ue values. In addition to the link between a character's downfall and the character's harmartias, recognition, or personal discovery, is a crucial element of tragedy. In the requiem of the play, Biff had a glimpse of personal recognition, although Willy, Linda, and Hap never discover the truth about themselves. Biff realizes Willy had the wrong dreams. In accepting the truth about his father, Biff is able to make a decision about his own future based on a realistic view of his capabilities. Is "Death of A Salesman" a tragedy or an illustration of pathos? By classic standards of tragedy the play fails only in the types of characters and lack of reversal of fortune, not in its examination of the consequences of man's harmartias. Realistic dreams, suitable choices, and honest values are the necessary tools to build the white picket fence of the American Dream.